Dr. Lee Bass works as a pediatric gastroenterologist in Northbrook, IL, Glenview, IL, and Chicago, IL. His clinical interests include gastrointestinal problems (digestive disorders). His professional affiliations include Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, and Children's Hospital of Chicago Faculty Practice Plan. After completing medical school at Rush Medical College, Dr. Bass performed his residency at St. Louis Children's Hospital. Dr. Bass is an in-network provider for Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Coventry, United Healthcare Plans, and more.

Dr. Jennifer Strople's medical specialty is pediatric gastroenterology. Dr. Strople graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine. She trained at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center for residency. In her practice, Dr. Strople focuses on gastrointestinal problems (digestive disorders). She takes Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO, United Healthcare Plans, and United Healthcare HMO, as well as other insurance carriers. Dr. Strople is professionally affiliated with Northwestern Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, and Children's Hospital of Chicago Faculty Practice Plan. Unfortunately, she is not currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Jeffrey Brown works as a pediatric gastroenterologist. Dr. Brown's clinical interests include inflammatory bowel disease. He is in-network for Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Coventry, Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO, and more. He graduated from Indiana University School of Medicine and then he performed his residency at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. He is conversant in Spanish. He is affiliated with Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, and Children's Hospital of Chicago Faculty Practice Plan. Unfortunately, Dr. Brown is not accepting new patients at this time.

Dr. Maria Greene is a pediatric gastroenterology and pediatric hepatology (liver disease) specialist. Dr. Greene speaks Greek. Her areas of expertise consist of pancreas problems, celiac disease, and swallowing problems (dysphagia). Her professional affiliations include Northwestern Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, and Children's Hospital of Chicago Faculty Practice Plan. Dr. Greene graduated from the University of Athens Faculty of Medicine. Her residency was performed at Monmouth Medical Center. Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO, United Healthcare Plans, and United Healthcare HMO are among the insurance carriers that Dr. Greene honors. Dr. Greene is accepting new patients.

Dr. Amir Kagalwalla sees patients in Chicago, IL, Westchester, IL, and Arlington Heights, IL. His medical specialty is pediatric gastroenterology. These areas are among his clinical interests: heartburn, crohn's disease, and gallbladder problems. He is professionally affiliated with Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital, Cook County Health & Hospitals System, and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Kagalwalla is in-network for Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO, United Healthcare Plans, United Healthcare EPO, and more. New patients are welcome to contact his office for an appointment. Dr. Kagalwalla attended Grant Medical College and then went on to complete his residency at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Children's Hospital of Michigan, and the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics.

Dr. Marleta Reynolds is a pediatric general surgery specialist in Chicago, IL, Northbrook, IL, and Lake Forest, IL. Dr. Reynolds obtained her medical school training at Tulane University School of Medicine and performed her residency at McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University and a hospital affiliated with Tulane University. Her areas of expertise include minimally invasive surgery, inflammatory bowel disease, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). She is in-network for Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO, United Healthcare Plans, and United Healthcare HMO, as well as other insurance carriers. She has received professional recognition including the following: Chicago Super Doctors. Dr. Reynolds is affiliated with Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, and Children's Hospital of Chicago Faculty Practice Plan. Her practice is open to new patients.

Dr. Mary Beth Madonna is a specialist in pediatric general surgery. She works in Chicago, IL, New Lenox, IL, and Northbrook, IL. Dr. Madonna's areas of expertise include surgical procedures. Her hospital/clinic affiliations include Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, and Children's Hospital of Chicago Faculty Practice Plan. She is a graduate of Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Chicago Medical School. For her professional training, Dr. Madonna completed residency programs at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center and a hospital affiliated with the University of Illinois. She takes Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Coventry, Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO, and more.

A gastroenterologist is a doctor that specializes in the normal function and diseases of the digestive tract, which includes the stomach, intestines, spleen, pancreas, and liver. As a specialty, gastroenterology is the study of how food moves through the body, how nutrients are absorbed by the body, and how waste is removed by the body. A few of the conditions that a gastroenterologist might treat are:

gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD (stomach acid flows back into the throat and causes a burning sensation and tissue damage)

One unique trait that really sets gastroenterologists apart is their training and skill with endoscopy, a procedure where tiny flexible tubes are inserted into the body. These tubes are equipped with lights and cameras to provide the practitioner with a close, inside look at what is going on inside the patient’s body. Tools can even be inserted through the tubes to perform certain procedures, such as removing polyps or cancers, stretching open passageways that have narrowed, or applying lasers to stop bleeding.

Gastroenterologists do not perform surgery, but they do perform endoscopic procedures, as well as biopsies to determine if cancer is affecting the digestive tract. Although other physicians can use endoscopes, gastroenterologists devote a significant portion of their medical training and practice to endoscopy. They learn how and when to use endoscopy, the safest and most efficient methods to use, and how to interpret what they see through the endoscope.

Currently in medical care in the United States, there are four main primary care specialties: family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, and geriatrics. Internal medicine is primary care for adults, pediatrics is primary care for children and infants, and geriatrics is primary care for seniors. Family medicine, the broadest specialty, is primary care for all ages.

A family medicine physician is a medical ‘home base’ for patients. They treat all ages, all sexes, all organs, and all diseases. They can see every member of the family, from birth through old age. This allows family medicine doctors to develop long-term relationships with their patients and to understand how their patients’ role in the family affects their health. They can provide check-ups, immunizations, screening services, gynecological exams and obstetric care, routine health care, and health counseling. When more specialized care is needed, a family medicine doctor can refer their patients to appropriate specialists. They can become educators and advocates for their patients in the sometimes overwhelming health care system.

As health care changes in this country, family medicine is a growing specialty for families and individuals who are seeking more personalized health care and a more personal relationship with their physician.

Colon and rectal surgery is the medical specialty that deals with diseases and disorders of the lower intestinal tract, colon, rectum, and anus. The specialty was previously known as proctology, and some physicians who specifically treat diseases of the rectum and anus may still call themselves proctologists; but in general that term is not currently used. While colon and rectal surgery is related to gastroenterology, only colon and rectal surgeons can provide surgical care.

Colon and rectal surgeons can offer routine screenings for common health conditions affecting the colon and rectum. They have also undergone advanced surgical training, and they are able to treat conditions affecting the lower intestinal tract with surgery when needed.

Some conditions that a colon and rectal surgeon might treat include:

Serious and chronic constipation

Hemorrhoids

Anal fissures, or tears in the skin around the anus

Anal abscesses and fistulae

Anal incontinence

Intestinal polyps

Colon and rectal cancer

Colon and rectal surgeons perform various procedures to keep patients healthy, such as colonoscopies and sigmoidoscopies. These tests use long, flexible tubes to examine the lining of the colon in case of pain or bleeding, or to look for signs of cancer or polyps. If a patient’s intestines are severely diseased and not working well, a colon and rectal surgeon may perform an ostomy, where the healthy part of the intestines are connected to a tube or pouch on the outside of the body. Colorectal surgeons may also remove hemorrhoids, perform laparoscopic surgery on a tumor, or even offer genetic counseling to patients with a family history of colorectal cancers.

Colon and rectal conditions can be some of the most uncomfortable problems to endure. Even if your intestinal problem is severe, colon and rectal surgeons can help you lead a long, healthy, and more enjoyable life.

Geriatrics is the subspecialty of internal medicine that provides primary care to older adults. Physical health tends to decline with age, and geriatricians work to manage such age-related concerns as chronic illness, frailty, multiple medications, and declining mental health to keep seniors as active and independent as possible.

Some of the most common concerns seen by a geriatrician include:

Mobility issues, including the need for canes and walkers, as well as preventing falls

Osteoporosis, a weakening of the bones, which affects as many as a quarter of all men and half of all women over fifty

Loss of hearing or vision

Incontinence, or the inability to control one’s bladder

Memory loss, including dementia and Alzheimer’s disease

A geriatrician may also provide their patients with comprehensive care that includes checking on their social health. Seniors are at increased risk for poverty, loneliness, abuse, and injuries in the home. As part of their health care, a geriatrician may inquire about family support, living conditions, or the ability of a patient to perform daily self-care tasks.

In some cases, a geriatrician may serve as an advisor to other physicians on a specific case or condition. However, most of the time geriatrics is a primary care specialty, and geriatricians provide routine health care to the older patients they work with.